Oil well testing device



Dec. 22, 1931. W, 1 MILLER y 1,837,788

OIL WELL TESTING DEVICE Filed March '7. 1929 2 SheegsfSheet l De@ 22, 1931. W J. MILLER 1,837,788

OIL WELL TESTING DEVICE Filed March 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES WILLIAM JOSEPH MILLER, or sULIIIUn, 'LoUIsIANA OIL WELL TESTING DEVICE y Applioationnled Hatch 7, 1989. rSerial No. 845,089.

This invention relates to -oil well testing devices and more particularly to a device forremoving from a bored well which `has entered the pay sand, a sample of the contents of the well so that it may be determined whether the production will warrant casing of the well.

The principal object of the present invention is the production of a device of this character which may be entered in the test bore in a sealed condition and the sample of the vcontents of the vtest bore removed therefrom unnixed with thecontents of the well above this ore.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of al device of the character which employs a vacuum chamber f andmay be operated to place this vacuum chamber in communication with the contents of the test bore.

A still further object of the invention is to rovide a device of this character which may he' employed either as a dry pipe tester wherein the pipe from which the testing device is supported is sealed from communication with the contents of the well above the testV bore or as a wet pipe tester wherein the contents of the well are allowed to enter the manipulating pipe above the testing deviceldestroying the buoyancy thereof and allowing the weight of this pipe to act to eiectually prevent blowing out of the pipe and of the contents of the well during the testing operation.

The former construction that is ordinarily employed in oil well testing is dangerous in that it is subjected to considerable damage in the event the sand produces gas heavily and accordingly generates considerable pressure below theseal provided at the upper end of the test bore when the tester is in position. Such a construction is, however, capable of economic use' in sands which are heavy gas producers.

A' still further object of the invention is to produce adevice of this character which is readily convertible to allow it to be employed in either of the manners above described and which maybe readily and cheaply manufac tured and controlled. 50. A further and important object of the invention is the provision of astructure of this character which may be operated to start the test after the tester is in position by means of a controlling wire line which is led to the tester through the center of the pipe from which the tester is supported.

These and other objects I attain by the structure shown in the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a sectional view through the u per portion of a testing device constructed 1n accordance with my invention, the sup orting tubing being shown and a fishing too for manipulating the control element indicated in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the lower section of the testing device showing the same seated in the rat-hole and indicating `the control device in the initial control position in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a view of the lower head similar to that of Figure 2, but showing the position of the parts when the control element is removed;

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the lowerrhead at right angles to the view of Figure 2, certain of the parts bein removed;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectlonal view through the upper head at right angles to the view of Figure 1, showing connections permitting attachment of a vacuum pump for evacuating a testing device;

c Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through the lower head at the inlet port;

Fi ure 7 is a sectional view showin a modi ed means for evacuating the testing device. n h

Referrin now more particularly to the drawings, t e tester comprises a tubular body 10 having up er and lower heads 11 and 12. The tubular ody intermediate its ends 1s slightly reduced in diameter, as indicated at 13, thereby producing upper and lower op- Eosed shoulders 14 and 15 against which are tted upper and lower packingrings 16 and 17. The upper packing ring is stationary and may form a coupling connecting the reduced section of the tube to the upper norloc I mally sized section thereof while the lower upper en ring is vertically movable and has a downwardly tapered face 18 adapted to seat upon the shoulder formed at the junction of the main bore 19 of a well with the test bore or rat-hole 2O forming an axial prolongatlon of this main bore. Between the packing rings is disposed an annular compressible ackmg rubber element 21, which as the movab e packing ring comes into engagement with the shoulder at the rat-hole, is compressed by a continued downward movement of the testing device and thus brought into sealing engagement with the walls of the main bore immediately above this shoulder.

The up er head 11 has an axial bore 22, the d) of which is enlarged to form a seat for packing 23 and to receive a gland follower for compressing this packing. This bore below the end of the packing gland is interrupted by a transverse bore 25, the opposite ends of which are closed by removable plugs 26. Slidable in the bore between these plugs are valve elements 27 each 1n the form of a piston having its head inwardly arranged and provided with an aperture 28. Each of these pistons is forced toward the center of the bore by a spring, the spring 29 of one piston being of greater strength than the spring 29a of the other p1son so that the piston 27 projected by the spring 29 normally extends across and intercepts the bore 22 while the other of the pistons is forced inwardly against its plug.

The lower head has an axial bore 22 of the vsame diameter as the bore of the upper head aligned therewith. This lower head intermediate its ends is traversed by a transverse opening 30, the axial bore 22 being enlarged and rovided with glands 31 at opposite sides of t e opening. The lower head above and below this opening is further traversed by transverse bores 251 equipped similarly as the bores 25 of the upper head above described. The lower head has a vertical port 32 opening through opposite ends thereof and communicatin with the bores 25. This lower head has a epending threaded flange receiving a bowl 12EL which serves at once as a guide for the testing device and as a seal for the lower end of the lower head.

The control element of the testing device comprises a tube 33 having at its upper and lower ends check valves 34 which open upward. The lower check valve 34 has its inner port opening through its lower end and the check valve supports at its lower end a perforated tube 35 forming a continuation of the tube 33. The upper end of the upper check valve has a catch head 36 for coaction with any suitable type of fishing tool and the outlet ports of this check valve open through the sides of the body of this valve, as indicated at 38. This testing device preferably mames has connected with the upper end thereof a coupling element 39.

This coupling element has an axial bore 420 through which the head 36 may be engaged. This bore adjacent its lower end communicates with downwardly diverging ports el opening through the exterior of the couL ling so that fluid lying exteriorly to the coupling may enter the coupling or iiuid pumped into the well through the bore of this coupling f' may pass through the space about the testing device above the packer 21. This coupling may be connected to the ordinary su ppor'ting tubing 42 by tool joints 43 or any other suitable connecting elements which provide for the communication of the bore e0 with the bore ofthe supporting pipe..

In the use of the apparatus above described, the control device is inserted through. the bores 22 and 22a until the screen extension 35 thereof is disposed within the bowl 12a. By the insertion of this control device the pistons having the weaker springs 29a are relieved of the pressure exerted thereon by the pistons having springs 29, with the result that the port 32 of the lower head places the interiors of the main tube and the bowl in communication with one another.

The air in the chambers is then exhausted in a manner hereinafter described, and the device coupled to the handling pipe and low* ered into position in the well until the packer is expanded and the lower or movable plate of the packer is seated upon the bowl at the junction of the main bore and the rat-hole. This places the lower end of the testing device in the rat-hole which is, of course, formed in the pay sand. A suitable fishing tool F inserted through the supporting tubing 42 by a wire line W is then employed to engage 1 the control element and elevate the same until the screen 35 aligns with the transverse opening 30 of the lower head. While in this position this screen still maintains the lower set of valvey pistons in separate-d relation so that bore 32 is still open. The vacuum produced in thetesting device is thus placed in communication with the rat-hole and the formation in this rat-hole is drawn through opening 30, screen 35 to bowl 12a and through port 32 to the interior of the main conduit.

After a. predetermined time, suiicient to enthe bore 22l it will be obvious that the lower 130 head will be sealed at opposite sides of the portland communication etween the bowl and the interior of the testing device cut oi as it is withdrawn from the upper head l thevalve pistons will similarly act to cut o the bore 22 and thus revent entrance of any iuid to the testing evice'from above. Attention is drawn to the fact that by this arrangement it is possible to have pipe 42 filled with wateror slush and since the interior of this pipe is placed in communication with the exterior thereof by the coupling 39,'it is possible to have the entire pipe line thoroughly mudded so that all danger of a blow out is avoided. Any one of several means may be employed for evacuating the testing device and in the present instance two such means are illustrated. In Figure 5 I have illustrated a preferred arrangement wherein the upper head 11 is formed with vertical bores 44 and 45, the former being equipped at its upper end for connection with a vacuum pump, as indicated at.46 and having arranged therein a downwardly seated check valve 47, while the latter has arranged therein a cut off valve 48 and is adapted at its upper end for application of a vacuum gauge 49. In Figure 7 a secondstructure is illustrated wherein the vacuum pump is directl connected to the upper head which is ind1- cated at 11a. The vacuum pump cylinder which is indicated at 50 has a usualreciproeating valve piston 51 and is illustrated as exhausting through its upper end as at 50. The lower end o 'the connection between the lower end of the cylinder and the head 11 includes a perforated stop plate 52 having a central aperture receiving the fishing head 36 of the control member, the edges of which seat upon the upper end of the control member proper so that the vertical movement of this control member under the influence vof the suction created, is revented. Check valved ports 53' are refera ly formed in the head as an outlet or the air contained in the testing device although of course, with the testing device in position the entire contents of the complete testing device could be evacuated through the testing device at its outlet ports 38.

It will be obvious that the device maybeused as a dry pipe tester and without the use of vacuum by slightly altering the procedure above set forth. In order to permit Aof such use, it is merel necessary that the fitting 39 be omitted an that in elevating the plunger p br control device 33, care being taken to leave the screen 35 with the opening 30 for a suili-- cient period to enable the interior pressure of the well to drive all air from both the bowl and the interior of pipe 10 from the control device through a check valve opening through the head, which may constitute either the openin 44 of Figure 5 or the openings 53 of Figure this cylinder is open andH By employing this method the l oil may becaused to stand in pipe y4213i the deplth which it would normally stand in the we and a full sam le be taken. f/

The structure il ustrated is obviously ca- .pable of a ver considerable range of modifiand having a seal to en' age and seal to the A wall of the well bore at t e upper end of said test bore, a tubing for supporting said container, said container being positioned below the tubing, and means controlled by a member inserted in said tube for placing the interior of the container in communication with the test bore.

2. In oil well testin apparatus, a container adapted to be inserte in a test bore of a well and having a seal to en age and seal to the wall of the well bore at t e upper-end of said test bore, a tubing for supporting said container, said container bein positioned below the tubing, means controed by a member inserted in said tubefor first placing the interior of the container in communication with the test bore and then sealin the container against the entry or escape of uids. Y

3. In oil well testing apparatus, an evacuated container adapted to' be inserted in the test boreof the well and having a seal to enl gage and seal to the wall of the well bore at the upper end of said testbore, a tubing for supporting said container, said container being positioned below the tubing, and means con-f trolled by a member inserted through said tubing for placing the interior of the container in communication with the test bore.

4. In oil well testing apparatus, an evacuated container adapted to be inserted in the test bore of the well and having a seal to engage and neal to the wall of the well bore at the upper end of said test bore, a tubing for supporting said container, said container being positioned below the tubing, and means controlled by a member inserted through said tubing for placing the interior of the container in communicationk with the test bore and then sealing the container against the ventry or escape of fluids.

5. In oil well testing apparatus, a container havin tainer being adapted to be inserted in a test bore of a well and sealed to the wall of the well bore at the upper end of said test bore, a supporting tubing for the container, a plunger controlling communication between said port and the'interior of the container, and means insei'tblethrough the tubing to engage said plunger and position it to establish communication between the port and the Ainterior of the container.

6.y In oil well testing apparatus, a-containa port at its lower end, said con! er having a port at its lower end, said container being adapted to be inserted in a test bore of a well and sealed to the wall of the well bore at the upper end of said test bore, a supporting tubing for the container, a plunger controlling communication between sa1d port and the interior of the container, means insertible through the tubing to engage said plunger and position it to establlsh communication between the port and the interior of the container and to subsequently completely withdraw the plunger, and means for sealing the opening in the container left by the withdrawal of the plunger.

7 In oil well testing apparatus, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at' opposite ends of said body, a port in one of said heads, aligned bores in the heads, and a plunger engaged in said bores and having means for placmg the port in communication with the interior of the container when it is disposed in oneposition with relation thereto.

8. In oil well testing apparatus, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, a port in one of said heads, aligned bores in the heads, a plunger engaged in said bores and having means for placing the port in communication with the interior of the container when it is disposed in one position with relation thereto', and means for sealing the aligned bores of the container heads when the plunger is withdrawn.

9. In oil well testing apparatus, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, a port in one of said heads, aligned bores in the heads, a plunger engaged in said bores and having means for placing the port in communication with the interior of the container when it is disposed in one position with relation thereto, and valves mounted in said heads and closing the bores of the heads when the plunger is withdrawn.

10. In oil well testing apparatus, a container having a tubular body and opposed 'heads at opposite ends of said body, a port in one of said heads, aligned bores in the heads, a plunger engaged in said bores and having means for placing the port in com-4 munication with the interior of the cont-alner when 1t 1s disposed 1n one posltion with relation thereto, and valves mounted in said heads and closing the bores of the heads when the plunger is withdrawn, the lower head having valves at opposite sides of said port.

11. In an oil well testing device, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, the lower head having a port, a bowl engaged with the lower end of the lower head, said heads having aligned bores, a plunger engaged in said bores and comprising an imperforate body having a screen at its lower end said screen being normally disposed in said l, a second port in the lower head connectl the interior of the bowl and the interioro the tubular body, a tubing supporting saidWQ container,L and means insertible through the tubing for shifting the plunger to place the interior of the bowl in communicationwith the first named port through said screen.

12. In an oil well testing device, a container having a tubular body4 and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, the lower head having a port, a bowl engaged with the lower end of the lower head, said heads having aligned bores, a plunger engaged in .said bores and comprising an imperforate body having a screen at its lower end, said screen being normally disposed in said bowl, a second port in the lower head connecting the interior' of the bowl and the interior of the tubular body, a tubing supporting said container, means insertible through the tubing for shifting the plunger to place the interior of the bowl in communication with the first named'port through said screen and for subsequently withdrawing the plunger, and

means for sealing the aligned bores of thev container heads when the plunger is withdrawn.

13. In an oil well testing device, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, the lower head having a port, a bowl engaged with the lower end of the lower head, said heads having aligned bores, a plunger engaged in said bores and comprising an imperforate body having a screen at its lower end` said screen being normally disposed in said bowl, a second port in the lower head connecting the interior of the bowl and the interior of the tubular body, a tubing supporting said container, means insertible through the tubing for shifting the plunger to place the interior of the bowl in communication with the first named port through said screen and Jfor subsequently withdrawing the-plunger, mea-ns for sealingA the aligned bores ofthe container heads when the plunger is withdrawn, and a valve for sealing the second named port actuated by the last named means lvlvhei positioned to seal the bore of the lower` 14. In an oil well testing apparatus, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, one of the heads having a port and both of the heads having aligned bores, and a plunger engaging through said bores and having means for lacing the port in communication with the interior of the container when it is disposed in one position with relation thereto.

.15. In an oil well testing apparatus, a container having a tubular body and opposed heads at opposite ends of said body, one of the heads having a port and both of the heads having aligned bores, valves for normally, closing the bores of the heads and the port in one of said heads, and a plunger engageablev through the bores of said heads, said plunger when so engaged allowing the valves'to assume o en positions.

16. pparatus for testing the formation in a Well bore including a tubular. string adapted to be let down in a Well bore and having lo packing means adapted to form a seal between the string and5 the Wall of said bore, said string having a separate sample chamber therein provided with a valve controlled inlet, said chamber being normally hermetically sealed, and means for communicating the bore beneath said seal with the said sample chamber, said means being. characterized by the provision of a channel through which said communication may be established, and

means for opening and closing said channel.

17. Apparatus for testing the formation in a Well bore including a tube adapted to be let down into a Well bore, packing means for formin a seal betweenv said tube and the Walls othe bore, said tube having a separate sample chamber therein provided with an inlet, a Valve controlling said inlet and normally hermetically sealing the chamber, said apparatus having channels through one of which fluid may pass through the apparatus and through the other of which fluid from the formation being tested may. enter said chamber through said inlet.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

WILLIAM J. MILLER. 

